Set designer
Set designers create the settings and backdrops for commercials, television, theatre and films.
- Typical hours40 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As a set designer, you could:
- read scripts and discuss the director's vision for the production
- research details that will go into the set design
- work closely with costume, make-up, props, camera and lighting teams
- design scale models to show how sets will look, and make refinements
- oversee the building of sets by your team
- create digital scenery to project onto stage and set backdrops
- make sure sets are built on time and to an agreed budget
Working environment
You could work in a theatre, in an office, on a film set, at a film studio or in a creative studio.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of the fine arts
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a set designer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can study for a higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject, like:
- fine art
- interior design
- architecture
- 3D design
- theatre design
You could also do a course in performing arts production or design for film and television at some universities, colleges and drama schools.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a creative course at college to learn some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position.
Courses include:
- production arts practice
- art and design
- photography
- interior design
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Scenic Artist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Scenic Construction Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
These can take around 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of workplace training and off-site study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Work
You could get a junior position with a company and work your way up through training and promotion.
For example, you might start as a:
- set designer's assistant
- art department trainee
- assistant prop maker
- TV or film production runner
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to build a portfolio of your design work to show potential employers what you can do.
You can use examples from being involved in:
- student theatre or film
- local amateur or community theatre
- low budget independent films
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior set designer or production designer. You might also move to working on larger film, TV and theatre productions.
Set designers often work freelance, so making and developing good contacts in your particular field is important for career progression.
Career tips
If you're aged between 16 and 30 and want to learn more about backstage careers in theatre, you could attend workshops and talks run by organisations like TheatreCraft .
Guides for this industry
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